We have to clear the area where we plan on setting it up so currently, we are still in the planning process.

Lighting: We already have T5NO (I think they're NO) bulbs. Four 20watt bulbs, 2 2700K and 2 6500K that we've been using to start seeds. My dad built a box painted white around it for better reflection.

Can anybody give me any input on the usage of these lights that we already have? If not these, what about LEDs?

Filtration: I was thinking some internal filter from [Ebay Link Removed] It wouldn't let me post the link.

Heater: Some heater from ebay

Hardscape: Malaysian driftwood and river rocks. Don't have them yet but that's the plan.

Substrate: Pool Filter Sand. Haven't gotten that either haha.

Flora: We want to keep it simple. Sweet Flag is a big candidate because we have extra of that. Anything we can find at a local nursery or hardware store would be ideal. We're not trying to lead the hobby. Suggestions would be most welcome. We want to have submerged plants too (annubias, dwarf sag, crypts, maybe java fern). We haven't even ordered the planters yet.

Fauna: We're a long ways from that.

hydrophyte

05-30-2012 10:26 PM

If I were you I would set that up as a high-humidty riparium and get some awesome emersed crypts, Anubias, Java fern and stuff like that going. A 30 High is a pretty nice shape for that. I have done several setups like that already and I can make a list with some of the best plants if you want.

Gooberfish

05-30-2012 11:17 PM

Yes please that would be great! Any advice or input would be greatly appreciated :)

Gooberfish

05-30-2012 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hydrophyte
(Post 1883413)

If I were you I would set that up as a high-humidty riparium and get some awesome emersed crypts, Anubias, Java fern and stuff like that going. A 30 High is a pretty nice shape for that. I have done several setups like that already and I can make a list with some of the best plants if you want.

Yes please! That would be Great!

hydrophyte

05-30-2012 11:24 PM

OK here are some suggestions...

In hanging planters:

Cryptocoryne pontederiifolia

C. wendtii 'Mi Oya'

C. wendtii 'Tropica'

C. walkeri "lutea"

C. usteriana

Spathiphyllum 'Golden Glow'

various other Spathiphyllum

Lagenandra thwaitesii - cool collector plant if you can find it

On trellis rafts:

Anubias barteri var. nana

Microsorum 'Windelov'

Fittonia

Gooberfish

06-05-2012 02:08 AM

1 Attachment(s)

Okay so now I need to show that I'm totally serious about this riparium lol. So this weekend, Dad & I cleared the space on our shelves, pulled them out, vacuumed the area, cleaned the windows above and added support.

Today I got a piece of wood. $76 from my LFS. Cost almost as much as the tank. It kept sliding down for the picture causing me to take a terrible picture, but I do plan to prop the wood more upright. Waiting on the heater, and filter. Then we can add the sand and water. Still need to order the planters.

We're planning on using large round river rocks for hardscape from a local stone & concrete supply place. We'll use a rock to prop that thing up so the top is sticking out of the water.

sumer

06-05-2012 12:21 PM

Its going to be an awesome one.
As I am a rookie in Ripariums, this thread would help me in understanding the practical approach.
Subscribed !!

hydrophyte

06-05-2012 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gooberfish
(Post 1889896)

For $76 it better be!

We're planning on using large round river rocks for hardscape from a local stone & concrete supply place. We'll use a rock to prop that thing up so the top is sticking out of the water.

That should look pretty cool.

Gooberfish

06-09-2012 04:38 AM

3 Attachment(s)

Today, progress was made. Yesterday, we went to a local nursery and picked up some garden plants, as well as 3 riparium prospects. The heater and filter came today and so immediately we washed some play sand, put the three things in and started cycling.

As far as plants go, we're still not 100% about what's going in. We're still waiting on the Riparium Supply planters (shipped today according to e-mail). We're not trying to lead the hobby with this 30 gal. This is simply "version 1." We're not trying to impress our friends/family about how rare and special certain plants are etc. We're going to wow everyone with what's locally available and easy to obtain. Look for another update next week :)

hydrophyte

06-09-2012 08:05 PM

That box shipped out yesterday. I hope you will see it early this coming week.

It's important to be really careful with nursery plants because they often come with insect pests. Of those ones that you got the fern probably won't make it as a riparium plant. The Draceana might grow OK. That pink plant looks like a Hypoestes. I tried that once, but it didn't want to grow in the water.

Can you find any crypts at your local LFS? This tank would be really cool as a high-humidity setup with crypts and stuff like that and you can have a lot of fun with those kinds of plants. I just resurrected this how-to thread that I started last year....

Thanks for the tips. We're willing to take a chance on the Draceana. We have pink ribbon grass in our water garden in the backyard so the Draceana will kind of be the indoor version of that. Thanks for the heads-up about the fern. We may implement it in the area outside of the riparium. The Hypoestes splash will also be a gamble.

My LFS sources will have crypts for sure. This Tuesday I'm going on a big plant shopping spree in San Francisco. I'm also getting a black background, a thermometer and root tabs. The C. Wendtii I remember seeing potted submersed for $15. Is that a bad deal?

Crypts will definitely be on the shopping list. Along with Java Fern, Dwarf Sag, Vals (or some kind of tall grassy thing) and anubias.

Thanks for the tips. We're willing to take a chance on the Draceana. We have pink ribbon grass in our water garden in the backyard so the Draceana will kind of be the indoor version of that. Thanks for the heads-up about the fern. We may implement it in the area outside of the riparium. The Hypoestes splash will also be a gamble.

My LFS sources will have crypts for sure. This Tuesday I'm going on a big plant shopping spree in San Francisco. I'm also getting a black background, a thermometer and root tabs. The C. Wendtii I remember seeing potted submersed for $15. Is that a bad deal?

Crypts will definitely be on the shopping list. Along with Java Fern, Dwarf Sag, Vals (or some kind of tall grassy thing) and anubias.

If you want to put the Hypoestes in there I would recommend planting it on a trellis raft. I don't think it will root at all in a planter.

Vals or Sagittaria could be good for the underwater area, but I wouldn't grow them in the emersed portion. Vals can't really grow at all emersed and dwarf Sagittaria is a puny plant and not very full emersed.

Please look at that list of selections that I suggested for the riparium portion. Those are all real good ones and tested already. You will have much better luck using the tested plants that grow well in ripariums. If you don't you might not get much of a result at all.

Underwater-grown crypts will do just fine so long as they have some nice rhizome. You can expect much of the foliage to melt back if you plant them in riparium planters, but just give them some time and they will resprout with new emersed-adapted leaves. Be sure to use good root fertilization with crypts in planters. If you get potted crypts with lots of rhizomes all grown together you should tease the little divisions apart, trim the roots and plant several spread apart in each planter.